Wow! It's already August. At headquarters we have started preparations for our annual delegates meeting. The event kicks off the "campaign" season for our members who are running (or re-running) for the board of directors. In addition, the event allows members to voice their thoughts on upcoming initiatives.
For the 2nd straight year the event will be held in Lawrence. Lawrence was the original host site when the meeting began in the early 1990s. Ultimately, the event outgrew the size of meeting space in Lawrence. With building renovations completed in 2013, the event returned to HQ last year and will again this year, Oct. 14-16.
As we are creating the agenda, delegates will be asked to provide input on a variety of topics. Member classifications, along with member standards, have been topics in recent meetings. As our board of directors continues to evaluate these areas, delegates will be asked to weigh in on this important item.
In early September, delegates will receive a proposed agenda and will be asked to provide input on possible homework items. A virtual notebook will be available roughly two to three weeks before the event.
By Sept. 15, we need all chapters to identify their delegates. Please be engaged in this important process!
Outreach grants announced
GCSAA recently announced chapters receiving outreach grants. This is a matching-grant program designed to assist chapters with efforts to promote the profession externally, especially to avid/influential golfers and other non-endemic groups. Eleven chapters received grants totaling $25,000:
- Alabama GCSA $5,000
- GCSA of Central California $3,000
- Central Florida GCSA $1,500
- Florida GCSA $2,000
- Heart of America GCSA $1,500
- Hi-Lo Desert GCSA $2,000
- Metropolitan GCSA $2,500
- Michigan GCSA $1,000
- GCSA of New England $2,000
- Philadelphia Association of GCS $3,500
- South Dakota GCSA $1,000
Around the region
Many thanks to the great members of the Minnesota GCSA as I recently attended their "Northern Exposure" event in Tower, which is 90 miles north of Duluth. Nearly 30 were on hand at the Wilderness at Fortune Bay, which is an exceptional facility. Vince Dodge, CGCS, serves as the superintendent. It was a great event and another successful regional outreach effort by the Minnesota GCSA.
Photos of the month
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In early July, a microburst with winds clocked at nearly 80 mile per hour hit Lawrence, Kan., causing damage to more than 500 trees, with an estimated $100,000 damage at Alvamar Golf Club. Kent Morgison serves as the superintendent.
A third-party organization helped clean debris. The crew was racing the clock as the facility only had 12 days to prepare for a Web.com Tour qualifier at the 36-hole facility. Fortunately, the debris was cleaned, while Kent and his crew had both courses in exceptional condition.
Television crews also were on site as Alvamar assistant superintendent (GCSAA Class C member) Tom North explains the extent of the damage.
